Car-coupling



(No Model.)

J. LEARMONTH.

GAR GOUPLING. No. 282,910. Patented Ang. 7, 1883.

ww M* @MW f/ M @WMAJf- UNITED STATES PATENT '()EEica JAMESLEARMONTH, OIvCOBSICANA, TEXAS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent No. 282,910, dated vAugust'7, 1883.

Application filed January 15, 1883. (No model.)

`tion of twovdraw-heads; in one of which is a spring-actuated jaw, whichacts as a support for the coupling-pin until the jaw is pushed back intothe coupling-head, and in the other a slotted spring-actuated jaw, whichhas its outer end so formed Vas to support the link in position ready tocouple, as will be more yfully described hereinafter.

Figure l is a vertical section of the two draw-heads and theirattachments, which compose one of my couplings. Figure 2 is a detailview of the slotted spring-jaw which supports the link in position. n

A A represent two draw-heads of the usual construction, inside of one ofwhich are placed the two spring-jaws B. Each of these jaws have suitablemetallic blocks, C, secured to Vtheir outer ends, and which, when thejaws are forced forward, project a suitable distance beyond the frontend of the draw-head.

Upon the shank D, which projects from the rear end of both spring-jaws,lis placed a suitable spring, E, which serves to keep the jaws pressedforward when they are left' free to move. In the extension which isformed on the draw-head is placed a suitable stop of any kind, againstwhich the rear end of this spring abuts, so that when the spring-jaw isforced backward the springv is compressed between the rear end of thejaws 'and the stop. As soon as Vthis spring `is left free to act itforces the two spring-jaws outward, so that they will receive a part ofthe concussion when the cars run together, and thus ease the jar beforethe draw-heads strike. Through these two jaws are made the holes G forthe coupling-pin to pass through. While the jaws are forced outward bythe springY the pin is held in a raised position; but when the jaws aremoved backward, as the holes come under the end of the piu the pin dropsthrough them and couples the cars together. Upon the top of thisdraw-head is formed a suitable guide, II, for the coupling-pin, whichmaybe Vmade long enough to extend up to the top of a freight-car, orprovided with an eye at its upper end, to which a chain may be attachedwhich will reach up to any delsired height, and thus allow' the cars tobe jaws in the other coupling, rand the -jaw I Upon this pin will beformed a suit' is forced backward without in any way afv fecting eitherthe link or the pin. As the jaw in the one head comes in contact withthe lower jaw in the other the two jaws B are forcedbackward, so as tolet the couplingpin fall through the link, which is held downwardby thejaw I. This jaw I also servesto ease the concussion when the cars cometogether before the draw-heads strike. By the use of the'spring-actuated jaws, slotted so that itcan be moved back and forth overthe pin, the link -is always held ready to couple with the nextadjoining car. y

Where narrow-gage cars are run over wide tracks they have to use a thirdrail and in that case the coupling would be to one side of the center,in which case the cars would not couple with a coupling of the kindabove described. In order to overcome this objection two side drafts areformed, one upon each side of the central coupling, which would carrythe link far enough to one side to couple with the narrow-gage cars. n

Having thus described my invention, I elaim-u Y In a car-coupling, thecombination of thel two draw-heads A, the spring-actuated jaw Intestimony whereof I affix my signature in B, having the hole. G, andwhich acts as zu presence of two Witmsses;-

support for the coupling-pin, with the springactuated jaw I7 providedwith the slot J, and which has its outer end formed so as to act as asupport for the link, both of the jaws having their" outer ends toproject beyond the mouths ofthe heads, substantially as shown.

JAMEs LEARMONTH.

Vtnesses RUFUs HARDY, F. S. KERR.

